ChemCaper

A full-blown, highly-developed mega game that mixes in Chemistry to form a solution that is like none other!

Teacher Review

Zelda, Final Fantasy and now ChemCaper – all fit into the gaming genre known as RPG or Role Playing Game. However, this time the developers of this game have teamed up with science teachers to produce something that will educate at the same time as entertain. The idea is focused around learning the basics of GCSE Chemistry while playing a fully scripted and animated video game.

‘Roub’ is our main character whom the player controls and guides through a fantasy world. He is the hero in waiting; out to save the humanity! All of this plays out with a fantastically detailed storyline with an in-depth narrative for you to interact with. There are a multitude of characters and personalities all set up to either help or hinder you. The science content is neatly interwoven throughout the storyline and plays a key role in being able to progress in the game.

An RPG game will often have the traditional ‘battles’ and this is where in ChemCaper we control Roub and gain vital rewards. The rewards can be anything from money, atoms (‘Orbes’) or chemical cards (petticle cards). These rewards can then be used in combat to defeat enemies or trade with other characters as the story unfolds. The storyline is also driven by ‘quests’ which are the objectives for Roub to complete. Again you will earn rewards or win items that are necessary to develop the plot.

There are some activities or mini-games that obviously introduce key Chemistry concepts such as laboratory apparatus and separating techniques. When crafting potions, the quality of your experimental skills will have a direct effect on the outcome – spill some of the mixture and you’ll end up with a low grade substance! On the other hand, there are scientific themes that are subtler such as covalent, ionic and metallic bonding. Even some of the dialogue hints at an understanding of science – the H*Drogen people are referred to as the simplest of folk. Teachers can be confident that there is good, solid science content being feed directly to the unsuspecting student player.

Getting to grips with the basics of the gameplay will take some patience, especially for those who are not avid gamers. Everything you need to know is very well presented and the controls are explained as necessary. A very strong attention span is demanded right from the off, however there is always the opportunity to replay a tutorial to refresh your understanding of each menu screen. There can be some moments of frustration or confusion and these tend to creep up on you when you just don’t know what you’re meant to be doing next!

ChemCaper is certainly an app highly recommended for those who identify themselves as gamers. People who love to be immersed in an imaginary world where they play the lead role will be very satisfied by all the problem solving that is on offer. It’s difficult to know if it is truly worth the price tag of £5.99 from an educational-budget point of view but there is easily 30+ hours of gameplay to be had.

Screenshots

From the Developer

ChemCaper: Act I - Petticles in Peril is the first role-playing game in the world to bridge education and mainstream gaming. Built from the ground up with Chemistry concepts, it elevates learning Chemistry into the digital realm, brings the fascination with the subject into your screens and takes the dread out of learning.

What if your world came crashing down, and You. Weren’t. There.

Roub, a young Moon Being, is charged with searching for his people’s lost deity. He gets thrown into the lush world of Camp Ungku upon rumors that a glowing, mysterious being was there.

Having crash landed on the banks of sunny Camp Ungku, he is polarised into a cloudy search for answers, bearing the unnerving uncertainty of his parents’ fate as news of waves of attacks on his homeland, Reac Ta, crash upon his conscience.

Young, pampered Roub now bears the weight of his world on his shoulders to demystify the conundrum that riddles it and its beings, whether he knows it or not.

Key features:

Get to know the different types of chemical bonds with the Petticles, in-game companions that will help fight Roub's battles.

Craft potions with real-life apparatus - Heal up! Get stronger! Move faster! Roub's going to need them to survive the wilderness of ChemCaper.

Music by Norihiko Hibino, award-winning composer of the Metal Gear Solid and Bayonetta series.

Experience Chemistry through an adventure! With a world built from scratch based off its concepts and the Periodic Table.

What people are saying
"ChemCaper is educational the way Civilization is educational. It won't teach you the subject directly; instead, fun is given top priority and the educational foundation on which it's based just permeates every aspect of the game. It's an education-laced supplement to life rather than an attempt at digitizing textbooks for those kids and their play-a-ma-jigs."
- Indie Games

"An intriguing game with some fantastic looking artwork and core gameplay that looks set to bridge the gap between education and entertainment, making something that really does make learning fun."
- Alpha Beta Gamer

"The game is very polished with great music and graphics. I also love the crafting system, which is cleverly named and designed after the periodic table. The battle is done real-time turn-based which reminds me of Chrono Trigger."
- Beta Tester

"This really feels like one of the most polished iOS games I have played."
- Beta Tester